Tasuke

[TZDL2017] Rai vs Tasuke - Preliminaries

In all her travels to and fro upon the earth Hisame has neither seen nor heard of the place Magnixx is from; even the name is foreign to her multi-lingual ears. His talk of volcanoes spurs a flashback of a hike with her and her late fiance through the forests at Mt. Fuji; they had navigated the labyrinthine sea of trees known as Aokigahara and scaled the mountain's heights to stand on top of the world in all its vastness and splendor. No feeling can compare with that triumphant yet humbling experience; of course, it's now a tourist attraction anyone can enjoy for a fraction of the effort so only the truly ambitious dare to mimic such an adventure.

He diverts her attention to the buildings in the backdrop: a barn, farmhouse and silo; surely places where one might find board, bread and brew... assuming those living there, if any, are hospitable. She nods in agreement and he turns to reveal another curiosity in the form of the wings he wore like a twin cape of feathers. Memories of angelic stories come to mind and thoughts slither toward the fantastical if not outright silly. However if he is such a being then there is a chance; a sliver of hope he may be able to relieve her of a particular burden. It's why her lips grin with white teeth and her eyes gleam in refreshed optimism. After all, if he is even just a king, she may be granted access to nearly anything; something to unlock the shackles once and forever.

The repetitive clangor of his perfectly gaited steps on earth is like a hammer to an anvil but somehow soothing; like a countdown ushering away an old year as the new rolls in. Such a feeling only grows when they halt before the massive doors of the barn – ignoring the proper procedures of checking the house – and he parts the red ingress by force; like a veil ripped and strewn aside with hard, wooden thuds. Hisame has to swallow the laugh tickling her throat as they enter the shadowy interior sliced by dusty bars of leaking light.

Within is everything to be expected: bails of hay, a wall full of farming tools; a tractor and empty stables; the odor of rotting wood and other neglected duties flaring her nostrils while she looks around to note each sign of abandonment. Hisame wonders if his senses of the unknown are a bit keener to trespass as he did without fear or reprisal; then again no farmer would go against a man such as he: the professed king now sitting on a throne of straw. Soon enough the lonely lord aches for a queen and pats the bedding nearby.

He'd notice her school-girlish expression by now but she can't care; the forgotten feeling of being alive compels her left hand to cast her weight aside. The katana lands with a loud clang of protest she hears as a victory bell; then she moves to him in a jubilant frolic and stands at his dexter before turning. The soft skirt of her kimono is guided around her knee with one hand as she lowers to kneel beside him, leaning in to let their shoulders touch while palms lay astride; to feel the cold metal of his armor through the silk. There she listens to the strong lilt speaking suggestion to search; an inquiry of familiarity that has her shaking her head with a soft stare, saying, “In truth I am a foreigner myself. I understand the basics of this country and how to live in it; the workings of a home, cooking and cleaning are only different from my homeland in style, approach and tradition... but...” Her eyes dart left at the open egress. “Ask me where the local market is and I'd find myself lost for words...”

Hisame looks back at him bashfully, similarly speechless at how easily she's opening herself up; perhaps it is the hope, as they say, which lights up her seemingly perpetual night. A spark of hot, electric emotion pumped from her heart and through her veins like magma, urging her completed reply. "Now that we're at rest, please tell me what it is you desire, O King..." She dips her face to bat her lashes seductively. "It will be my pleasure to serve you in every way you wish."

[TZDL2017] Rai vs Tasuke - Preliminaries

She doesn't expect to take anything of interest in what he has to say; nothing more than a polite but brief attention to his request preceding an inevitable declination and parting of ways. Then the words caress her ears like a mother's silken fingertips: “My power has cursed me to remain at combat... unable to appreciate the simplest of fine things life may offer.”

Awe parts her lips and she's hanging on everry word to follow as his towering frame thunders toward her with each metallic step. She moves back to keep the distance at three meters then receives an introduction; a name or sobriquet, then...

...disappointment.

A game of company and flesh is his desire; to bed pursue whatever companionship which may or may not last beyond morning. The statements are almost dizzying and certainly not virgin to her hearing; her traveling beauty has attracted many suitors and the persistent ones are able to be such pests. However with daylight still far from gone there is plenty of time for the possibilities she's allowing her suddenly salacious mind to entertain; wondering just how long it's been since she was loved by a man even if it means nothing to either of them. So she smiles and delivers a name of her own with a deep bow. “I am Hisame of Japan.”

She rises, still smiling with eyes a-twinkle in fascination. “Tell me more of this curse and the things you seek... preferably with wine, meat and a roof.”

[TZDL2017] Rai vs Tasuke - Preliminaries

I'm available mornings and afternoons Monday thru Friday; varying availability during weekends.

[TZDL2017] Rai vs Tasuke - Preliminaries

The smoke has suspiciously dissipated in the time it took her to half the space between herself and the monolith of a man; closer and now without distraction she appreciates his size and majesty as he bars her path, arrayed for war like the commander of some dragon-riding army or a bounty hunter searching for a mark. She cannot tell if his horns are part of his skull or some clandestine helmet but ascertains he expects respect.

In compliance she yanks the cordage of her katana to take reverse hold by the hilt and silence its shriek for good; he'd likely already heard it for some time but this ensured it wouldn't cause him displeasure or pain of ear. If a mercenary, at least if a stubborn one, he'll know agony in ways much more severe than a popped drum.

At seven meters to go he speaks and she stops, soaking in his strong voice and scrutinizing stare. Although impressed she does not convey it; only maintains her exhausted expression of disenchantment. Then he presumes her profession and teases with a promise. She corrects flatly, saying, "I am not a farmer but a drifter, Sir... as far as a word... I am listening."

With the fire somehow extinguished she has nothing else to take up time; her only hope is that what he says next will be an offer she can't refuse. Alas the one thing she desires is what no one has been able to bestow.

[TZDL2017] Rai vs Tasuke - Preliminaries

Dry but pungent fall fragrances fill the nostrils as the woman carries on in wanderlust with ears tuned out to the endless wail of her wretched weapon. Though persistent for attention, screaming in hunger at her every step like a helpless infant, she is neglectful; testimony to the sinkhole in her soul each day she must tolerate its company. Yet she is not without ability to feel the waist-high wheat at her dexter, lifting her hand to brush her fingers across their bristly feathers. It inspires the smallest of smiles and compels her to halt and force the sword's hush. Eyes close as a zephyr blows through her; rolling through the meadow with a long sigh as it rustles her fabric and plays with the bangs over her forehead; even the obnoxious cawing of crows in the distance is a mellifluous replacement.

A fleeting pleasure fading when eyes open and behold a vision of falling flame far ahead.

Her wide stare watches the falling star land in the field without boom or quake while her lips form an indifferent line. Soon snakes of black smoke slither upward to signal a fire; A lump of dread rolls in her gut and she purses her lips into a frown at thought of what might follow the event: the dry grass and wheat will catch and raze the entire area following capricious wind. Then all bets are off for any nearby homes and people within them; because she has power to prevent that it makes putting out the blaze her responsibility. Although the cruel truth is hinted by a solemn sentence of velvety timbre. “...but you wouldn't want that, would you?”

Nevertheless she walks afresh and resumes the famished howl of her sword, her fingers still run across tickling wheat as anxiety builds with every step closer to the source of smoke. Focus upon that prevents registry of the figure ahead but they are not priority; a friendly warning will suffice before she passes by and tends to the threat at hand.

[TZDL2017] Rai vs Tasuke - Preliminaries

The red leaves of a lone maple rustle in whispers of defiance to autumn's command to let go and be carried off to far away lands. They cling to their branches, perhaps colored with anger, determined to remain at home; refusing to accept their destiny to depart and make their tree cold and unclothed. Even when the pleasantly warm winds blow they hold and sail 'til the weakest can no longer last and finds itself in free flutter; following airy avenues to a golden pasture of welcoming wheat where the fields are divided by earthen arteries. There walks a woman alone and the lonely leaf flits above in fascination while admiring her elegant appearance.

She wears a crown of black obsidian tied in a long ponytail and alabaster kimono; sandaled steps drowned by the sharp droning shrill of a sword drug by the mangled lacing of its hilt. It shines an ugly, rusted reflection of the afternoon sun as it carves a line into the land behind her; a curiosity compelling an investigative circling to her front to behold a gorgeous face of feathery bangs, listless coffee brown eyes and pink lips form a mask of melancholy. They look so very unhappy; so devoid of feeling that the leaf cannot glide by without aid. So it pirouettes downward upon a draft of lavender perfume to come flush with her forehead in a friendly kiss. It's all it can do to pierce the gloom.

Yet she is not enchanted; disregarding the gesture with a shunning shake of her head to cast the leaf away like an annoying insect; left to watch her walk away to the painful song of steel at her back.

[TZDL2017] Rai vs Tasuke - Preliminaries

I work 11pm to 730am CST Monday through Saturday. Expect posts in the morning or afternoon evening between then.

I also request to post first when I get home if that's all right.

TZDL2017 Rules/Signups/Updates

My sheet has been updated following approval.

I look forward to interacting with you all.

Canon Fist Fight: Tifa Lockhart Vs Blaze Fielding

Post will be up tomorrow. I apologize for delay.

Also there may be delay in posting once the tournament starts as that will become my focus.

Canon Fist Fight: Tifa Lockhart Vs Blaze Fielding

With formality finished, Tifa awaits the "officer's" next questionable act while she slips into the groove of the rhythm; delicately bouncing her body to music before their hands light with energy she knows well. It causes the barkeep to exercise extra caution prior to use. There's no telling how it will manifest once released.

When it's retained in the hands and swung in a punch Lockhart inferences intent to strike her cherished cycle. A good guess given that's exactly what follows: a crunchy collision of fist and metal framework which sends the bike toward the unhappy heroine.

Tifa hops to her dexter in time to evade and hear it crash into the car abaft. She stands silent, focused and thinking; thinking of how to smash the pretty face of the woman who has damaged her property: a gift from her beloved Cloud.

Anger smolders from her heart and swirls dizzyingly through her body as she dashes at the violent vandal. What little distance between them affords enough time to prepare for reciprocation and Tifa won't strike until then. However her fury comes to bare when ire seeps from her skin in Prussian blue aura: the mark of her own spirit energy.